81st Street and Ridge Boulevard Website: www.smaoc.org
Brooklyn, NY 11209 Church Office: (718) 238-8008
Email: churchsecretary@smaoc.org Rectory: (718) 745-8481
His Eminence Metropolitan SABA
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ellias, Pastor Rev. Deacon Farid Farkouh
Email: pastor@smaoc.org farkouhfarid@gmail.com
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 1 and Eothinon 2
Sunday of All Saints of Antioch
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 1
The stone being sealed by the Jews, and thy pure body being guarded by the soldiers, thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world. Wherefore, the heavenly powers acclaimed thee, O Giver of life, crying, glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy gracious providence, O thou only Lover of mankind.
Apolytikion of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 4
Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe. For from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Apolytikion of All Saints of Antioch – Tone 4
Come, let us honor all the holy of Antioch, O fellow travelers in the way of the faithful, the pure and blessed Apostles with the hierarchs, martyrs with the righteous ones, their worn path wisely walking, wondering at their holy lives, overflowing with wonders; thus let us walk in peace and fear of God so that we all win the dwelling in Paradise.
Kontakion of the Theotokos – Tone 2
O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the mediatrix unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions, though we be sinners. Come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, with assistance; for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who dost ever intercede for those who honour thee.
Epistle – Romans 2:10-16 (Second Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 32.22, 1. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
BRETHREN, glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.
All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Gospel – Matthew 4:18-23 (Second Sunday after Pentecost)
AT THAT TIME, as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 11:21-12:9 (Holy Apostles Peter and Paul)
Matthew 16:13-19 (Holy Apostles Peter and Paul)
HOLY BREAD – Diane Zamaria offers the Holy Bread for the month of June for the repose of the soul of her beloved husband, the servant of God Dr. Samir Zamaria. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for June, and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISCIPLINE – We continue the Fast of the Apostles. We abstain from meat, dairy and eggs unto the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on Sunday, June 29.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please reverently hear these prayers before beginning to “chat.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
June 22, 2025 – SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
We are pleased to welcome you to worship with us today. Please note that only Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves with prayer, fasting and a recent confession may approach to receive Holy Communion. Everyone is welcome to receive the blessing and partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor during the coffee hour and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
Mission Statement - The mission of St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church of Brooklyn, NY, is to love and worship God through participation in the liturgical life of the Church, and to live and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We carry out this mission through education, outreach, fellowship, and works of mercy with love for each other, our neighbors, and our diverse world.
TODAY, JUNE 22 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God, Mabel Bitar, Nancy Davis, Florence Lewis Dibbs, Claudette Hadad, Margarete Haddad, Mary and Philip Hanna, Gloria Jabara, Lorraine Lewis, Lydia Lewis, Marie Sayegh, Margaret Soued, and Adeeba Tweel. Memory eternal!
Paula Arnuk and Family offer Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread, and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Dr. Issam Arnuk. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 29 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God, Linda Abdallah, Fouad Allawh, William Assatly, Sr., Angela Boojamra, Mae Karram, Maggy Karam, George Massabni, Helen Sahadi and Salvatore Savarese. Memory eternal!
Corinne and Michael Mallia and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Maggy Karam. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, John Petrick (Norwegian), Joyce Samaha (Sunrise, Mountain Lakes), Alice Farkouh, Robert Ghiz, Renee Setteducato, Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, George Khoury, Terry Mackoul, Denise McBride, and Alfred Nahas (at home).
PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – Fr. Michael will attend the Dioceses of the East Parish Life Conference at the Antiochian Village from Wednesday through Saturday this week. In the event of a pastoral emergency, please call Deacon Farid at (347) 524-7708.
GOLF OUTING – Mark your calendars for this year’s edition of the St. Mary’s Church Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing on Monday, September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos! This year we will be in a new location, the beautiful Richmond County Golf and Country Club on Staten Island, so it will be easier for Brooklyners, Staten Islanders, and New Jerseyites to attend. We will honor Nahla Bittar Fattouh with our Lifetime Achievement Award and the late Alexander Deeb with the Victor M. Samra, Jr. Memorial Award. Invitations and sponsorship forms will be in the mail within the next two weeks. Please plan to support this event which has covered the cost of so many projects and capital improvements for our beloved parish.
ROOF APPEAL – The Parish Council has mailed an appeal for the replacement of the church roof. If all of our 300 households contributed approximately $400 each, we would cover the cost. Let’s prayerfully consider our response to this necessary project. We acknowledge donations from Rose Abdallah, Sonia and Henry Abounaoum, Anita Absey, Dr. Bassam and Naziha Aldaia, Nicole and Jeff Anderson, Majed Atalla and Samia Keriaky, Angela and Christopher Athineos, Sandra Arida, Joan Bacon, Patricia Ballan, John J. DeLuca Foundation, Nicholas El-Khoury, Father Michael and Laila Ellias, Anita and John Eyd, Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh, Alice and David Furer, Josette and John Generale, Giorgi Guguberidze, James Harris, Krassimira Ivanchev, Joyce Katen, George Khoury, Dianna Russo Kitchen, Edward Mackoul, Rafik Mahab, Corinne and Michael Mallia, Linda Mantia, Daria and Thomas Mayrose, Denise McBride, George Moore, Susan and Gordon Nelson, Karen and Robert Rich, Marian Russo, Brenda Sabbagh, Audrey and Charles Sahadi, Louise Sahadi, Robert Sahadi, Linda and George Salamy, Catherine and Raymond Saleeby, Sam Salhany, Caroline and Peter Schneirla, Barbara and Dennis Shawah, Karen and Anthony Tadross, Irene Tashji, George Trisciuzzi, Gale Zarr, and Karen Zraick.
OCMC – Our June pledge envelopes included a yellow envelope for OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center). Please be as generous as possible in support of Orthodox missions and missionaries throughout the world.
BACKPACK PROJECT – Teen SOYO will once again sponsor 48 backpacks for underprivileged students in District 20 of the NYC Department of Education in cooperation with FOCUS. We welcome donations of $25/backpack. Our total commitment is $1200. Please make checks payable to St. Mary’s Church with “Backpack” in the memo line. The Teens thank you for supporting their community outreach project!
ON-LINE GIVING – St. Mary's Church now accepts donations online. Just visit https://smaoc.squarespace.com/donate and pay securely by credit card, debit card, or checking account. There is an option to indicate gifts made in honor of or in remembrance of someone.
ESTATE PLANNING – Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my will or estate plan?
DATES TO REMEMBER
June 25-29 Parish Life Conference @ Antiochian Village
Monday, July 14 Parish Council, 7 PM
Monday, September 8 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “So struggle, not fearing empty fears, and do not spare yourselves. The myrrh-bearing women were close to the Lord while being jostled by those who crucified Christ. You, too, do not look upon what is not within you. Let the world scream, let foolish superstition rage, let misfortunes arise – you follow your path, not looking back or to the side. Do not observe that which surrounds you; do not hear empty talk. Only look at what is underneath your feet and patiently set them on the indicated commandments, and look to your conscience which has been enlightened from above. For in the world also there are many women laborers of piety who also seek the Lord and zealously seek to attain Him. Beware that you are not left behind them.”
- St. Theophan the Recluse